Study Shows Pancreas Size Decreases More Than 30% In Kids With Diabetes

Although Â§-cells comprise just two percent of the gland, a study has found that children with diabetes have smaller pancreases than their healthy peers.

The study, conducted at the University of Chieti in Italy and published in the November 1995 issue of Diabetes Care, was not able to determine precisely why the pancreas shrinks in the presence of diabetes. However, since pancreatic function is impaired when Â§-cells are damaged, it is thought that the gland atrophies, much like the legs of person who is not able to walk.

Sixty children and adolescents with type I diabetes were screened. They were taking no drugs other than insulin and had no chronic diseases other than diabetes. They all had had the disease anywhere from two months to 11 years.

According to the report, “The most relevant reduction of pancreatic parameters was observed in insulin-dependent adolescents aged 13 to 15 years. In these patients, the reduction of pancreatic diameters was dependent on the duration of diabetes; in fact, pancreas size was already reduced after one to two years of the disease, but the decrease was very evident after five to 11 years. Pancreatic size was not influenced by metabolic control (as expressed by A1c) or by insulin requirement.”

It is hypothesized that the reduction in pancreas size is related to fibrosis and atrophy.

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Greetings from Nadia

A few facts about me in case you are new to my column and site.

My life in the diabetes community started at a young age as the secret keeper of my maternal and paternal Grandmothers. They both had type 2 diabetes and my days spent alone with them exposed me to their misunderstanding of how their diabetes really affected them. Eating candy bars, hiding the candy wrappers and smoking cigarettes seemed innocent enough to them. A decade later I married a type 1 person living with diabetes and experienced the full court of the diabetes spectrum with my type 2 family members and type 1 husband of almost 20 years.

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My grandmothers, the type 2 have struggled with their diabetes as long as I could remember. Later my mother followed in her mother’s footsteps. Sadly, my brother followed in my mother’s footsteps and experienced an early passing at the age of 53. My brother Jamal’s passing had the greatest impact on me. Probably because were the Irish twins; eleven months apart and his departure devastated me.

As I tell most people, diabetes is not a glamorous profession. Most people that work in the industry have a personal connection. This is why I am still here publishing after 26 years.

On the flip side of the coin, helping and inspiring people is my mission. I understand the daily challenges you face regardless of your education, IQ and economic circumstance. I am not a healthcare professional. Simply a lay person who has lived with a Type 1 and Type 2 family member who struggled with their disease. My former Type 1 husband was a role model in how to manage your diabetes, while my intelligent family members were role models on how an invisible disease can be misunderstood, devastating the quality of their life while leaving heart broken family members behind.

The perils of my experience have taught me to never judge anyone. As knowledgeable as I am, I also realize that I have no idea of the strings that pull at each person heart.

What I love about the diabetes community?

Once I meet someone and we share that we have a common experience; their diabetes and my life long experience as a care taker, we tend to have an instant bond. Think about it. How many people do you meet who you feel really get you right after your introduction? The conversations that follow tend to be very personal. Not a common experience with all strangers.

AskNadia Column

I started this column because where ever I go, people tend to ask me a lot of diabetes questions.

My answers are my opinions and it is not to be replaced by your healthcare professional’s opinion. The answers to your question in most cases will include research and other links to give you a borader perspective on your question.